Download - Michigan Bicyclist Magazine
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7/27/2019 Michigan Bicyclist Magazine
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LMB Annual Awards
Reimagine Washtenaw
Survivor Storytelling Project
State Senator Rides Hotspots
Pedal and Paddle in Three Rivers
And More
Also in this issue:
BicyclistMICH IGAN
PROMOTING BICYCLING AND THE SAFETY OFBICYCLISTS ON MICHIGAN ROADWAYS
August 2013
Western UP onBike-Friendly Roll
Advocacy Day RecapPage 7
Bikes on Trains Test RBack Page
PALM Highlights StatesBikeabilityPage 3
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1 MICHIGAN BICYCLIST | August 2013
Small Revolutions Create Change
What is todays date?
Wow, summer is almost
over, and time really ies
when you are having un
on your bike.
Your LMB makes havingun on your bike easy,
particularly i you enjoyed one o the our sup-
ported tours LMB oers: Pedal and Paddle,
Sunrise, MUP, and Shoreline West. I you have
not yet enjoyed one o these tours, mark it
down now or next year. I you are looking or
a un day ride, a challenge ride, or even an epic
ride, check out LMBs online Ride Calendar.
LMB started its outdoor un with the Lucinda
Means bike parade on May 22. Following the
parade, LMB was back to business with the2013 Advocacy Day. This edition reviews the
successes o Advocacy Day. Over 100 citizens
just like you attended and advocated or our
rights as cyclists. A special thank you to each
o them.
This edition also reports on the LMB awards,
which were announced at Advocacy Day. The
accomplishments o each recipient are
pressive. Congratulations to each recipien
On behal o the LMB Board, we welcome
two newly elected board members, Sarah
legrove and Sarah Sidelko. We look orwar
working with them, and sharing with us tknowledge, insight and enthusiasm. They
great additions to the Board.
Your LMB continues to advocate or y
rights, and we encourage you to join us.
can help by responding to LMBs calls o
sistance or by calling on your state or ed
legislator to support bicycle-riendly polici
Bicycle advocacy starts at home. You ad
cate or the rights o cyclists to use the ro
ways when you ride your bike. You mak
dierence when use your bike to run erranto go to events; to go to dinner; to go to a p
to go to work; or just to enjoy your hometo
Each revolution o your pedals makes a di
ence you will create change.
Create change get on your bike and ride.
STEVEN ROACH, LMB Board Chair
Michigan Bicyclist Copyright 2013On the Cover: Sam Keranen of Painesdale,Michigan (age 3 when the photo was taken inNovember, 2009) biking the non-motorized
Houghton Waterfront Trail. This 4.5 mile
asphalt path along Portage Lake is popular
with bike commuters, recreational riders,
and pedestrians. The pathway, linking parks,neighborhoods, downtown Houghton and
the Michigan Tech University campus, is anintegral part of Houghtons bicycle network and
one reason the city of 8,000 is a Bike Friendly
Community. For more information on bicycleplann ing and advoc acy in the Weste rn Uppe r
Peninsula, please see page 6. Photo by Ray Sharp.
Editor, Art & Design:JOHN LINDENMAYER
Letters/Comments/Advertisements may be
directed to:[email protected]
LMB Directors
DAVE BOURGEAULT
ERICA BRIGGS
COLLEEN BROWN
JIM CARPENTER
DAVID JONESVIC LUKASAVITZ, Treasurer
RORY NEUNER, Vice Chair
STEVEN ROACH, Chair
BARBARA SCHMID, Secretary
SARAH COLEGROVE
SARAH SIDELKO
MICHAEL SHEEAN
StafRICH MOELLERExecutive Director
JOHN LINDENMAYER
Advocacy & Policy Director, Webmaster
JENNY JENSENAssociate Director
The League o Michigan Bicyclists (LMB)
is a 501(c)(3) non-proit organization
devoted exclusively to the advancement
o bicycling. Our mission is to promotebicycl in g a n d in crea se th e sa ety o
bicyclists on the roadways in Michigan.
M i c h i g a n B i c y c l i s t M a g a z i n e i s a
beneit o membership in LMB, and is
published three times a year as part othe Leagues ongoing eorts to inorm
Michigan cyclists, law enorcement, policy
makers, the engineering and planning
community, and others on issues aectingbicycling in Michigan.
416 S. Cedar St. Suite A, Lansing, MI 48912(888) 642-4537 | (517) 334-9100www.LMB.org
League o Michigan Bicyclists
Printed with
recycled content
Socialize with LMB - Find us at www.LMB.org
Chie Operations Ocer or the Michigan Department o Transportation Greg Johnson (ar right) enjoys bicycling wit
MDOT sta and bicycle advocates in the Grand Region. The June 13, 2013 event was the second in a series o bicycle r
and meetings MDOT sta has hosted in an eort to better engage representatives rom the bicycle advocacy commu
across the state.
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The cover photo on this
magazine and the 2013
Ride Calendar both show
children on bicycles. It
was not by design, but
I think that it is a very
clear signal to the valueo the work LMB is doing
to promote bicycling and make the roadways
sae to ride on.
As a society, we always seem to want instant
gratifcation. Whether it is getting rom point
A to B as ast as possible; or talking on the
cell phone while we are driving, or how we
tend to check our email constantly on our cell
phones. Same goes or our eorts to improve
bikeability in our communities we want to
see major inrastructure changes happen
quickly and we want the mindset o roadway
users and politicians to change overnight.
In reality though, thats just not how it works.
We can never let ourselves get rustratedthat changes are not coming ast enough
or us to enjoy. There is a story about an old
man building a bridge who is asked why he
is building the bridge since he is so old that
he wont be around much longer to enjoy it.
He responds by saying the bridge is not or
himsel, but or the young person that will
pass by ater him.
We will not change the mindset o drivers
and politicians signifcantly over the
ew years. Nor will we convert every s
into a Complete Street within the next
years. But i we dont start now, we will n
get there. Think what Michigan roadw
would look like i 25 years ago we had pa
a Complete Streets policy. Think whatmindset o drivers and politicians woul
today i 25 years ago we had a comprehen
bicycle education program or our youth
Being a grandpa has made me realize m
than ever that what I am doing now
promote sae bicycling is not or me, but r
or my grandchildren. This alone strengt
my resolve.
From the Big WheelRICH MOELLER, LMB Executive Director
LMBs Pedal and Paddle Tour held on May 18-19 in Three Rivers, MI
was blessed with excellent weather. The local planning committee
spent months working on the event and was rewarded or their e-
orts with a great weekend to showcase the River Country area. We
want to thank all the local volunteers or their eorts.
49 riders participated in our frst Pedal and Paddle Tour held in
Three Rivers. Riders rom Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan took part
in the two-day event. The youngest was 19 and the oldest was 75.
As usual, the women out numbered the men.
Saturdays ride showcased the Amish settle-
ments and the rivers that surround Three
Rivers. Not only were we treated with see-
ing many Amish on the roads in their bug-
gies as we rode by, but the route took us
past a live arm auction, where there were
80-100 buggies tied up out ront.
We also rode by the old Rawson King Grist-
mill constructed in 1873 and hidden away
between Mendon and Vicksburg. Riders
then pedaled through the Langley Covered Bridge, which is the
longest remaining wooden covered bridge in the state o Michigan.
The bridge is named or Thomas W. Langley and amily, pioneers
who helped establish the village o Centreville in the mid-19th cen-
tury. In act, Langley was the very frst settler in Centreville.
Ater enjoying a wonderul lunch at the Covered Bridge Park on the
St. Joseph River, we headed back into Three Rivers to catch a shuttle
bus upstream where we put our kayaks and canoes in the water or
a relaxing aternoon on the Rocky River.
St. Joseph County has more than 150 miles o navigable rivers
more than any other Michigan county thus making the River
Country name tied to the county entirely appropriate. While we
only paddled a ew o those miles, participants enjoyed seeing
many highlights, including passing under the Old Grass Bridge.
That evening we were treated to a special short flm estival in the
historic Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers. This jewel has
been restored to its original grandeur and was a hit with everyone
who attended.
We started Sunday o with breakast in
Meyer-Broadway Park. The local caterer
served their amous French toast which was
a hit with everyone. We then proceeded to
explore the lakes region west o Three Riv-
ers, where riders had the chance to see the
Old Grass Bridge rom the topside the
same bridge we oated under the day be-
ore. Sundays ride had many rolling hills,
making the views spectacular.
As the riders headed home, they did so with the satisaction that
comes with a great weekend o riding. LMB and the local planning
committee are already hard at work to make the 2014 Pedal and
Paddle even better. This event, like all LMB tours, is an important
unding source or LMBs advocacy and education eorts to make
Michigan a more bicycle-riendly state. Please help us help make
Michigan a better place to ride by participating in one o our tours
in 2014. Learn more at www.LMB.org/tours.
Pedal and Paddle Receives Warm Welcome from Three Rivers
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3 MICHIGAN BICYCLIST | August 2013
Dont be ooled by the endless
sea o pink-shirted cyclists that
rolled into Luna Pier on June 28ater six days on the road. The
PALM bike tour is not or sissies.
Wait a sec. Yes it is. And also or
babies. And seniors. And those
with disabilities. In act, or 32
years Pedal Across Lower Michigan has been empowering, educating,
and engaging cyclists o all ages, shapes and sizes.
PALM sends out a loud and clear public message that bicycling is acces-
sible to everyone. And those are not just empty words. Daily optional
add-on routes allow more riders o various athletic levels to participate
without cramping the style o aster riders. The PALM committee makessure special needs are addressed with a minimum o uss. Each years
century ride (a one-day, 100-mile optional route midway on the tour)
is dedicated to the memory o Kevin Degen, a aithul PALM rider with
cerebral palsy who was a prominent and popular role model and und
raiser or those with special needs until his death at age 52 in 2010. On
this years ride, I saw young people with autism and Downs Syndrome,
two blind cyclists, hundreds o seniors on various styles o recumbent
and tri-wheeled cycles, and countless amilies pedaling with an array
o baby trailers, youth trail-a-bikes, and even multi-rider tandems. Free
childrens activities are oered at the end o each days ride. A tireless
army o 50-75 volunteer PALM staers are patrolling the roads, stang
closely spaced rest stops, and preparing each nights site accommoda-
tions so that even those completely new to multi-day touring eel sae
and confdent about pedaling hundreds o miles across the entire state.
From June 21-28, 2013, I biked PALM XXXII rom Norton Shores on Lake
Michigan to Luna Pier on Lake Erie as part o my job or the Michigan
Municipal League, which advocates on behal o municipalities to help
build and sustain highly livable communities with a unique sense o
place. Since physical design and walk- and bike- ability are key compo-
nents to that goal, PALM was a great opportunity to see what Complete
Streets progress is being made and to experience bikeability issues
across the state literally rom the pavement up.
I got a taste o bike-unriendly behavior in Norton Shores on my frst
day on the tour. Some o us were riding the shoreline drive to wet our
rear tires in Lake Michigan, a time-honored PALM tradition to christen
the start o the ride, when a driver yelled at us to get those bikes o
the road.
He was the rarity, o course. Everywhere on the route, I encountered
drivers who smiled and waved as they passed, and cars that slowed and
waited patiently behind a group o riders until they had ample clearance
to move ahead. While waiting or the light at an intersection in Clin
a riendly emale passenger rolled down her car window to ask w
we were all rom.
Everywhere! one rider called back, returning the smile as the
turned green and we all rolled orward together across the busy st
Bicycle saety education can go a long way toward ensuring both
clists and drivers understand and obey the rules to share the road s
and eciently. League o American Bicyclists (LAB) certifed instru
Al Lauland teaches a ree bike saety class every evening during PA
But unless an education component is written into new legislation
pretty much impossible to get the subject into any drivers educa
curriculum.
There is a very common misconception among motorists that bshould not be on the road. I we had some education going on m
that could change, said Lauland. Bikes are best when they act and
treated as vehicles. In my estimation, the number one compone
making Michigan more bike-riendly is to get drivers educated on
to share the road with bikes and educate cyclists on how to share
road with cars.
We rode rom Norton Shores to Grandville past rolling felds o b
berry bushes and asparagus felds, and quaint armhouses and cott
overlooking quiet wetlands and lakes. We savored a midmorning
termelon break on the shady shore o a slow-moving river at Eastm
ville Bayou Park. In Allendale, the school band boosters treated usundraising lunch o sandwiches and homemade cookies in the sh
serenaded by tuba players playing Louie Louie.
We pedaled through rainstorms rom Lake Odessa to Charlotte,
sheltered beneath a park pavilion in Vermontville, where the vi
church opened its doors to hundreds o drenched cyclists seeki
clean, dry restroom break. The night beore the tour hit Freeport
owner o the Shamrock Tavern told us shed packed more than 100
lunches in anticipation o drawing even a raction o the 800+ tou
cycling through town.
We sipped icy slushes next to a river dam in downtown Manchester
gorged on pulled pork sandwiches at the Grass Lake Diner. In Dansthe mayor greeted us in the gym o the K-12 school, joking that w
tripled the population o her village when we camped there overn
In Washtenaw County, the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society host
rest stop heaped with resh ruit and homemade cookies.
So it surprised me to learn rom route planner Gary
yon that some communities want no part o being on
PALM route, which changes each year. The reason is sim
Theyre concerned about cyclists interering with trac, said Ken
PALM XXXII: Putting the Pedal to Family RidePedal Across Lower Michigan Highlights States BikeabilitELIZABETH PHILIPS SHAW, Communications Coordinator,
Michigan Municipal League
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The east side is worse than west side; everybody is in a rush. The car is
still king.
As anyone whos ever planned a tour route undoubtedly knows, Kenyon
spends months each year working out the complexities o moving hun-
dreds o cyclists saely through heavily populated communities with mini-
mum impact on trac ow. In Kent County this year, he had to nix plans to
camp at Grandville High School because it was right across rom a major
shopping mall on a busy multi-lane highway. Even so, leaving the middle
school we had to crisscross a subdivision to avoid about three miles o
heavy trac on the main road.
Complete Streets policies are slowly changing this dynamic, but the un-
derlying need to fx the states aging transportation inrastructure is a
lengthy and costly process made even more challenging by shrinking
local revenues. As o this writing, the state legislature has yet to vote on
uture transportation unding.
On Wednesdays ride rom Dansville to Manchester, PALM Mail Granny
Ellie Knesper received an email rom a sel-described concerned mom
and citizen. Heres an excerpt:
Austin (Road) is a 55 mph no shoulder road a major route or gravel
trucks which I (fnd) particularly intimidating as I am orced to be nose to
nose with them time and time again...PALM, fnd another route, a sae and
appropriate one or the sake o your riders and my children!
I certainly understood this drivers rustration trying to get past our end-
less line o cyclists. But I wonder i she realizes that her complaints ex-
actly mirror those o most cyclists? She doesnt think bikes belong on a
55 mph no shoulder road in heavy truck trac, and I wholeheartedly
agree. I would like nothing better than to always ride on a separate non-
motorized path, or on a wide paved shoulder thats marked as a dedicated
bike lane. And I think its a pretty sae bet that most cyclists eel the same.
But fnd a sae and appropriate route across Michigan where drivers are
never orced to move into the oncoming lane to pass a cyclist? To be hon-
est, Im not sure that route exists, at least not in its entirety.
And that is exactly why, even people who would never, ever ride a bicy-
cle should be standing on a soap box, demanding that Michigans road-ways be made sae and accessible or all users. I we want a physically ft
population that uses less ossil uel and engages in healthy activities that
promote amily and community interaction, then we need to support the
kind o laws and inrastructure that encourage it. Thats why PALM do-
nates $1 rom each registration ee to LMBs advocacy eorts, said PALM
Chair Kevin Novess Sr.
Rides like the PALM empower us all to share the road. Now we all need to
do our part to ensure those roads are ft to share.
Top Left: Elizabeth Philips Shaw, Communications Coordinator, Michigan
Municipal League dips her ront tire into Lake Erie at the end o PALM XXXII
Top Right: Local police and re trucks led the PALM parade celebrating therides end at Luna Pier on June 28.
Bottom: These three cycling connoisseurs use the PALM each year as an
opportunity to put aside their regular road bikes and show of their work
o art. Left to right: Dave Talsma o Swartz Creek and Her Majesty, an ANT
Truss bike, artist Mike Flanigans hand-built replica o a 1903 Iver Johnson
track racing bike; Kim Moon o Flint and Sir Walter Raleigh, a 1930s single
speed light touring Raleigh converted to a 5-speed; and Frank Rotondo o
Farmington and his hand-made Stan Ridge touring bike .
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5 MICHIGAN BICYCLIST | August 2013
Washtenaw Avenue runs through
the heart o Washtenaw County a
fve-mile stretch o state trunkline
that connects the Cities o Ann Arbor
and Ypsilanti. The roadway is typical
o many ound in the State o Michigan:sprawling, unplanned commercial develop-
ment, with an auto-oriented design, intended to move trac and acili-
tate access to adjacent business with the automobile. The heavy trac,
peak hour congestion, high speeds, wide lanes, numerous curb-cuts, no
bike lanes, and missing sidewalks means a dangerous and unriendly
environment or all users, but particularly walkers and bikers.
Beginning in 2008, Washtenaw County led an eort to work with the
our communities through which the corridor traversed, the Cities o
Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and Townships o Pittsfeld and Ypsilanti, to re-
vitalize the corridor and re-imagine its possibilities. It made sense to
initiate this kind o eort, not only or congestion, saety and other phys-ical issues, but because the corridor is a vital transportation network. A
diverse set o institutions, commercial areas, and urban centers rely on
the corridor or exchange o goods, services, and customers. There are
two public universities, one college, two hospitals, 4,500 housing units,
and the Countys two biggest cities. US-23 also has a major interchange
on the corridor, unneling thousands o drivers every day to various des-
tinations.
The Washtenaw Avenue corridor carries about 4,000 transit users per
weekday, on top o between 25,000 and 40,000 vehicles per day. The
Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (the bus system that serves
the two largest urban areas in the County) operates a bus line along thecorridor, and is experiencing double-digit annual ridership growth. A
plan emerged in 2010 to redevelop the corridor around public transit,
pulsing high-density, mixed-use development nodes at seven strategic
locations along the length o the corridor. Encouraging development
at these strategic node intersections in conjunction with adjacent en-
hanced, modern bus stops is the key economic devel-
opment strategy or the eort.
A Complete Streets approach is being used,
which considers all users o a roadway,
not just vehicles. The communities
are reviewing bicycle lane and pe-
destrian network designs along the
entire length o the 5-mile corridor.
The communities recognize that be-
ing a multi-modal corridor, providing
saer and reasonable alternatives to
the automobile, is also an economic
development strategy. Its also a ne-
cessity, in that the corridor will con-
tinue to increase in congestion and start to ail or automobiles m
requently. By encouraging denser development, more housing,
concentrating commercial development in walkable nodes, trip len
will decrease, and drivers will increasingly use transit, bikes, and wal
as a mode o transportation, all o which reduce roadway conges
and add capacity. There is growing demand or livable, walkable cmunities with dierent transportation choices available. The ma
right now is statistically dominated by Baby Boomers and Millenn
who are both seeking livable, walkable, vibrant neighborhoods
transportation choices and access to cultural, service, and recreati
acilities.
ReImagine Washtenaw is actively working on multiple ronts to im
ment the previously-adopted 2010 vision. Reimagine Washtenaw i
ing HUD unding to review corridor alternatives or adding bike la
dedicated transit lanes, sidewalks, transit stops, mid-block cross
and other acilities that better balance auto trac with other mo
Most scenarios being considered require mode-shit to successaddress the increasing congestion on the corridor. This is not los
the planners leading the eort, so they recently brought the largest
ployers together with Smart Growth America to study Transporta
Demand Management (TDM) strategies. TDM includes a menu o
tions or employers to consider that reduce impacts at peak period
the corridor. For example, a TDM best practice may be to allow emp
ees to telecommute once per week, or provide ree bus passes o
employees, or charging more or on-campus parking to discourage
use o an automobile. An eort is also underway to allow the buse
the corridor to control the lights along the corridor, which would a
a bus to get through a green light to stay on schedule. Finally, all
communities are updating their Master Plans and Zoning Ordinancrequire compact, dense, walkable development in the uture. Appro
ate development regulations should be in place by 2014.
Washtenaw Avenue A Future Complete StreetNATHAN VOGHT, Economic Development Specialist,
Washtenaw County Ofce o Community & Economic Development
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The rugged and remote Keweenaw Peninsula is known as a mountain
biking mecca, with an International Mountain Bicycling Association
Epic Ride Center in Copper Harbor, which has some o the gnarliest
single-track trails and toughest races in the Midwest, and recently was
eatured in several national magazines. Meanwhile, a core group o cy-
cling advocates have been working quietly or years to make streets in
the regions small towns riendlier or bike commuters.
The Keweenaws largest city, Houghton,
was named a Bike Friendly Community
by the League o American Bicyclists
in 2010 and Houghtons Michigan Tech
University was awarded Bike Friendly
Campus status in 2013. In order to co-
ordinate bike planning and promo-
tion eorts and reach out beyond the
Houghton city limits, volunteers rom
Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet have
ormed a new regional advocacy group,Bike Initiatives Keweenaw, or BIKE!
BIKE! ounders helped the bike and pe-
destrian committees o Houghton and
Hancock conduct a cycling survey last
all and analyze and map the results.
More than 700 people rom a two-
city population o 14,000 responded
to the on-line survey, describing their
bike commuting routes and how oten
they ride those routes in each season.
Volunteers aggregated the data and
produced maps o principal routes inHoughton and Hancock, color-coded
by total trips per season. More than
20,000 bike trips per year were report-
ed on Houghtons College Avenue and
across the Portage Lit Bridge, extraordinary fgures or an area with six
months o winter and up to 300 inches o snow per year.
Survey results including route maps, trip data and comments are used to
identiy needs and prioritize inrastructure improvements. The Hough-
ton Bike and Pedestrian Committee incorporated fndings into its Non-
Motorized Transportation Plan, which was approved by the citys plan-
ning commission and council in June as part o a fve-year master plan.The plan documents improvements to bike and pedestrian acilities
since a prior survey and bike plan was conducted in 2007, and identi-
fes projects or the next ew years, including more bike lanes and bike
racks, installation o signs or saety and way-fnding, and development
o a bike boulevard connecting West Houghton with the university area
on the east side o town.
In 2010, Houghton passed a bike-parking ordinance or apartments
and businesses, and a Complete Streets ordinance, the frst o its kind
in the Upper Peninsula. The bike and pedestrian committee flled
the Leagues on-line Bike Friendly Community application in July o
year with the intention o using it as a planning rubric and gap an
sis. Houghton was pleased to receive the bronze-level BFC award o
frst try, and has reapplied this summer in hopes o moving to the s
level. Improvements over the last three years include additional pa
bike lanes, bike parking acilities and connector trails, expanded BikWork Day and May Bike Month activ
in workplaces and schools, Sae Ro
to School planning, and plans or c
walk improvements near the elemen
and high school unded or 2014.
Also on tap or the summer o 201
a major highway repaving project
our miles o M-26 rom Hancock,
through Ripley to Dollar Bay. This sec
o two-lane state highway is avoide
local cyclists because o narrow, crbling shoulders. Through a $500
enhancement grant, MDOT will upg
bike acilities along this stretch that
Houghton and Hancock to the Torch
shoreline communities o Tamarack
Hubbell and Lake Linden. From Hanc
to Ripley, there will be a 4-oot pa
bike lane, a curb and gutter, and bey
that, a raised 4-oot multi-use path. F
Ripley to Dollar Bay, MDOT will pro
an 8-oot paved shoulder with rum
strips. The Houghton and Hancock and pedestrian committees have
with MDOT engineers several time
make suggestions and review plan
the project, including redesigned
access rom the Portage Lit Bridge to M-26. This partnership will en
that the project addresses cyclists concerns and advances the go
developing sae bike commuting routes to the Houghton-Hancock
rom all directions.
BIKE! hopes to work with government ocials in Hancock and Calu
to adopt Complete Streets policies and bike plans, to raise aware
o cycling through education and promotion, and to advocate or scycling conditions, all part o its stated mission o empowering pe
to ride bikes more oten. Local cyclists envision a uture when the
weenaw region will be known as a great place to bike or daily trans
tation, as well as or mountain biking.
For more inormation, see the BIKE! web site, www.bikeinitiativ
weenaw.org, and fnd Houghton policies and plans at www.cit
houghton.com .
Western Upper Peninsula on a Bike-friendly RollRAY SHAR P, Manager o Community Planning and Preparedness at Western U.P. Health Department and and avid bike commuter
An eight-foot asphalt non-motorized trail was installed October 2011
to connect residential and commercial neighborhoods in Portage
Township with the Houghtons waterfront and downtown area.
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9 MICHIGAN BICYCLIST | August 2013
rom across the state emailed their rep-
resentatives to urge them to cosponsor
the bill package. In total, 161 emails were
sent to 74 separate Representatives dur-
ing the short online action. The com-
bined eort paid o, with 15 Represen-
tatives signing on as co-sponsors to the
bills. The vulnerable roadway user billswere introduced shortly ater Advocacy
Day as HB 4792 and HB 4799. Both were
reerred to the Criminal Justice Commit-
tee, chaired by Representative Heise,
who has since committed to holding a
hearing on the legislation.
PEAC was excited to be a new partner
or Advocacy Day because individu-
als with disabilities do not have an easy
venue to share ideas. Advocacy Day
provided a unique opportunity or ourstudents to share their stories, said John
Waterman, Executive Director o PEAC.
Non-motorized transportation is big or
people with disabilities. For many, non-
motorized transportation is the only way
they can get where they need to be. We
need to guarantee access or all and pro-
tect non-motorized users through policy
such as the proposed vulnerable roadway user legislation.
Ater Advocacy Day, LMB received numerous communications rom
lawmakers requesting additional copies o the various publications thatthey received during Advocacy Day including the Michigan Ride Calen-
dar, What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Knowand What Every Young Michi-
gan Bicyclist Must Know, and the Michigan Trail Director. Additionally, our
Michigan Bicycling inographic was well received (see previous page).
As a frst time attendee, I was impressed with the organization and the
enthusiasm o the cyclists who participated. It was rewarding to be able
to remind our legislators o the act that many o their constituents are
cycling enthusiasts, stated Ted W
Director o Advocacy or MMBA,
served on the Advocacy Day plan
committee.
Ater the legislative meetings, nu
ous legislators participated in our
cheon on the Capitol lawn, inclu
Representative Wayne Schmidt, C
o the Transportation and Inrastruc
Committee, who presented LMBs
Lindenmayer with a ramed copy
House Resolution 142 proclaiming
as Bike Month in Michigan.
Following the Bike Month presenta
LMB held a short annual meeting w
LMB Board Chair Steven Roach pre
ed a slate o board candidates or
membership to vote on. See page 1
more about the election.
During the Advocacy Day lunch
LMB also presented our 2013 Aw
to numerous bicyclists who emb
the mission o the organization in
work to promote and advance bicy
across the state. You can read m
about our 2013 award recipients
page 10. We once again congratulate these individuals or their e
to make Michigan a more bicycle-riendly state.
The day was concluded with a post-event bicycle tour around the CLansing, guided by Tim Potter o MSU Bikes and Andy Kilpatrick, a
cyclist and engineer or the City o Lansing who highlighted a numb
recently installed bicycle acilities around the city.
We hope you will join us in 2014 or this important day o action w
cyclists speak with one voice to improve bicycling in Michigan. In 2
Advocacy Day is scheduled or May 21.
Representative Wayne Schmidt, Chair o the Transportation and In-
rastructure Committee, presenting LMBs John Lindenmayer with a
ramed copy o a House R esolution 142 proclaiming May as Bike Month
in Michigan.
LMB is seeking bicyclists from across the state, from communities large and small, tohelp advance bicycling in Michigan. The Ambassador Program is a new LMB programaimed at building a strong network of volunteers across Michigan. An Ambassadors du-ties depend completely on you! We work with you and what you feel comfortable doing tohelp your community and Michigan become more bicycle-friendly. Involvement dependson your interest and available time. Sign up or learn more by contacting Jenny at [email protected] or visiting www.LMB.org/ambassador.
ADVOCACY DAY, cont. from page 7
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7/27/2019 Michigan Bicyclist Magazine
11/16
Annually, LMB recognizes Michigan bicyclists that embody the
mission o LMB in our work to promote and advance bicycling
across the state. Our 2013 award recipients were honored at a
luncheon on the Capitol Lawn during the Lucinda Means Bicycle
Advocacy Day held on May 22nd.
Please join us in congratulating our 2013 honorees or their lead-
ership and dedication.
Bicycle Advocate Award
Bryan WaldmanBryan is an active bicycle racer, participating in road races, criteri-
ums and cyclecross. When not racing he is pursuing his career as
a lawyer with the Sinas Dramis Law Firm. Over the last 20 years, he
has represented numerous cyclist and outdoor athletes. Most are
cyclists hit by cars or injured in dog attacks. This past summer he
represented LMBs John Lindenmayer in his successul deense
against an Impeding Trac ticket. He authored A Legal Hand-
book For Michigan Cyclists, which is available through his frm.
He has also assisted LMB over the past year by writing positionpapers on various bills aecting bicyclists. Locally, Bryan has de-
veloped a standard letter pointing out the risks o sub standard
road conditions
that he sends to
local road authori-
ties whenever he
encounters a road
that is dangerous
or bicyclists.
LMB Volun-
teer Award
Terri RiopelleTerri has been a
long-time LMB vol-
unteer. Over the
years, she has vol-
unteered or the
Sunrise and MUP Bi-
cycle Tours and has
been a tireless ad-
vocate or bicycling
in the Alpena area.In 2012, she was in-
strumental in the
relocation o the
Sunrise Bicycle Tour rom Rogers City to Alpena, working with various
community leaders to encourage them to pursue becoming the host
city or the event. She then took a leadership role in recruiting a planning
committee made up o local residents in the Alpena area. Her tireless e-
orts helped make the frst Sunrise Tour in Alpena a huge success.
Bob Gibbs Passifor Pedaling AwaD o n n a M oDonna has been a lie lo
cyclist, and an inspira
to many since she be
long distance touringher youth in Michigan
New England. In 2003
rode across America
San Diego to St. Augus
raising $38,000 or Br
Cancer in her 76th year.
riding or her own en
ment is not the only w
she inspires bicyclists.
has been a local ride le
er or the past 12 years
continually invites n
people to enjoy the sp
o cycling. She starts e
o her rides with a sh
lecture on some aspec
bicycle saety. In 2005,
organized the frst R
o Silence event in Bo
City. In 2006, she brou
together a wide rang
stakeholders in the Bo
City area to improve interace between cyc
and motorists.
J im Dougher
D i s t i n g u i s h
Service Awa
Michael SproMichael has been a l
time LMB supporter
volunteer. In 1998 he
came a member o
Board o Directors. O
the years he has vo
teered or various L
tours and other event
addition to serving on the LMB board. He has been a tireless advoc
or bicycling in his community. He can oten be seen attending vari
public meetings vocalizing the need or accommodations or bicyc
He routinely works with bike shops in his community to make sure
See AWARDS, next p
2013 LMB Award Recipients (Top to Bottom), all
with Rich Moeller, LMB Executive Director: Bicycle
Advocate Award - Bryan Waldman; Bob Gibbs Passion
for Pedaling Award - Donna Moll (Photo of Jerry Swift
accepting the award on behalf of Donna Moll, with Bob
Gibbs); Jim Dougherty Distinguished Service Award -
Michael Sproul; LMB Volunteer Award - Terri Riopelle;
Community Support for Bicycling Award - Auburn
Hills Police Department (accepted by Officer Brian
Miller). Not pictured: Bicycle Educator Award - Fred
Schaafsma; Ralph Finneren Encouragement Award -
Re-Bicycle Lenawee.
2013 LMB Award Recipients
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7/27/2019 Michigan Bicyclist Magazine
12/16
11 MICHIGAN BICYCLIST | August 2013
they have LMB educational materials and Ride Calendars. He has served
liaison with numerous local bike clubs. Michael has also advocated or s
cycling by regularly meeting with local and state politicians. He atte
LMBs Bicycle Advocacy Day each spring, and oten meets with his st
legislators when they are back in their district. Michael stepped o the L
Board in 2013 and become a member o LMBs new Ambassador Progr
where he will continue his outstanding service to bicycling in Michigan
Community Support for Bicycling Award
Auburn Hills Police DepartmentAuburn Hills Police Department (AHPD) has been a great advocate a
supporter or bicycling in Auburn Hills, MI. They have a dedicated o
that works to keep the roads o Auburn Hills sae or motorists, pedes
ans, and bicyclists. AHPD sends ocers to area health and saety eve
distributes saety booklets or bicyclists including LMBs What Ev
Michigan Bicyclist Must Know, and hosts trainings or ocers to better
derstand the Michigan Vehicle Code as it applies to bicyclists. They
perorming community outreach around local Complete Streets impmentation to ensure the public is aware o the new inrastructure
provements. The Auburn Hills Police Department is a shining exampl
how supportive a police department can be o bicyclists and other mu
modal options o transportation.
Bicycle Educator Award
Fred Schaafsma (posthumously)Bicyclists in Michigan and the Traverse City area lost a tireless bicy
educator in November o 2012 with the passing o Fred Schaasm
For his services, we honored Fred posthumously with the Bicycle E
cator Award. Fred was a member o the Cherry Capital Cyclist Club.
organized their Education and Saety Committee and worked with a
through that group to make the Grand Traverse area a better place
bicycling. He was also concerned about statewide issues and annu
attended LMBs Advocacy Day and worked with LMB sta on various
cycle saety issues. Not only was Fred a passionate educator, he loved
have un and compete. Many would say what made him so special w
his wide-ranging interests and his passion or people and his passion
cycling. He would oten remark, who is going to look out or these kid
Ralph Finneren Encouragement Award
Re-Bicycle Lenawee
Re-Bicycle Lenawee is a bicycle co-operative in Adrian, MI dedicato reurbishing donated bicycles to any person interested in riding
transportation, ftness or un. Re-Bicycle Lenawee provides bicycle sa
education and equipment along with the bicycles. Anyone is eligible
receive a bike, but their priority has always been children, the homele
those on public assistance and the working poor. The organization
no paid sta, but a small group o volunteers work with clients to rep
bicycles and educate them. They also sponsor local recreational rides a
support other community events.
LMB held their annual meeting on May 22nd in conjunction
with the 2013 Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day. The
annual meeting was held in Lansing during the luncheon
on the Capitol Lawn where LMB Board Chair Steven Roach
presented a slate o board candidates or the attending
membership to vote on.
LMB is pleased to welcome Sarah Side-
lko to the LMB Board. Sarah was part o
the initial core-group that developed
and coordinated Back Alley Bikes (De-
troit) in 2001-2007. In the Fall o 2009,
she helped to co-ound Fender Bender
Detroit. Fender Bender is a women,
queer and trans centered bicycle workspace rooted in jus-
tice principles that values the bicycle as an accessible and
air transportation option and also as a vehicle or trans-
ormation within Detroit. The Fender Bender Detroit shop
also organizes a bi-yearly seven week mechanic training se-
ries, public-access repair hours, community conversations,
group rides, private tours, as well as sells and rents reur-
bished bicycles. Sarah has also worked closely with Wheel-
house Detroit as an employee, and currently teaches on-sitebi-monthly bike maintenance classes.
We are also excited to welcome Sarah
Colegrove to the board. Sarah has
been practicing law or 21 years. Her
frm, Briggs Colegrove, P.C., oten help
athletes injured in bicycle and sports-
related accidents. She co-authors
articles or the LMBs Michigan Bicy-
clist Magazine that address legal issues acing cyclists. She
serves on the Board o Directors o Back Alley Bikes in De-
troit, and is an avid cyclist. Sarah looks orward to serving
on the Board o Directors to help urther the LMBs goal o
promoting cycling and saety on Michigan roadways.
Rounding out the election slate, Rory Neuner o Lansing
and Jim Carpenter o Redord were both reelected to serve
another term on the LMB board. Jim ormerly served as
Board Chair and Rory currently serves as Vice Chair.
LMB Holds Annual Meeting Welcomes New & ReturningBoard Members
AWARDS, cont. from page 10
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7/27/2019 Michigan Bicyclist Magazine
13/16
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7/27/2019 Michigan Bicyclist Magazine
14/16
13 MICHIGAN BICYCLIST | August 2013
In June the Michigan Department o Transportation (MDOT) partnered with
T.Y. Lin International to conduct a series o Training Wheels courses in com-
munities throughout Michigan. The bicycle acility design program is now
in its 8th year o helping to educate Michigan planners, engineers, and other
community ocials and stakeholders about the benefts o on-road bicycle
acilities and how to properly design them. The fve communities hosting
this years training included Manistee, Grandville, Dexter, Coldwater, and
Niles. Each community was encouraged to invite neighboring communities
and approach incorporating bicycle acilities rom a regional perspective.
Each session had up to 25 participants and lasted rom fve to six hours. Se-
nior transportation proessionals rom T.Y. Lin, Nate Rosenberg, P.E. and Mike
Amsden, AICP, began each class with a two hour presentation or communi-
ty stakeholders on the design criteria o various on-road bike acilities based
on updated guidance rom the American Association o State Highway O-
fcials (AASHTOs) Guide or the Development o Bicycle Facilities 2012.
Following the presentation, participants rode a bicycle route planned by
the host community with assistance rom MDOT, and T.Y. Lin. The route
was designed so participants could experience a variety o common road
cross-sections, some with bicycle acilities such as bike lanes or shoulders,
and some without these acilities. The group stopped at key points along
the route to discuss possible solutions or applying bicycle acilities to give
cyclists a more comortable place to ride on the road.
To conclude the class and synthesize the inormation rom the classroom and
bike tour, participants were divided into small groups and provided with an
aerial image o a primary or typical road condition in the community. They
were asked to brainstorm how these roads could be redesigned to better
accommodate bicycles. Each group then sketched their design on the aerial
map and presented their ideas to the other participants. The purpose o this
exercise was to help community stakeholders see dierent approaches to
the same roadway or intersection, while also providing the host community
with ideas or incorporating bicycle acilities ater the course.
Training Wheels
DAVE HARTWELL, Vestry Member
Saint James Episcopal Church
Saint James Episcopal Church in Grosse Ile, Michigan cel-
ebrated the 2nd Annual Blessing o the Bicycles on Sunday,
April 21, 2013. The weather was heavenly and the response
rom both our church amily and the Grosse Ile communitywas enthusiastic.
The aternoons activities began at 1 pm or those cyclist
who arrived to take advantage o ree Earth Day bicycle saety
checkups. Tire pressure checks, seat height adjustments, and
brake inspections were some o the services provided by Sain
James church amily volunteers. The Blessing o the Bicycle
ceremony started just ater 2 pm as the steeple bell in the his-
toric Saint James Chapel rang out.
Ater a warm welcome to everyone in attendance, Father Phil
accompanied by his guitar, led us in singing the hymn How
Great Thou Art. Ocer Julie Cortis o the Grosse Ile Police
Department then read verses rom the book o the Prophe
Ezekiel (1:15-21). Father Phil spoke to us about the invention o
the bicycle and how it, much like the home computer, has em
powered people by expanding our worlds and enriching ou
lives. Ater leading us in prayer, he blessed all the bicycles, mo
torcycles, and other wheeled vehicles with holy water. Fathe
Phil then made the ollowing benediction, May the road rise
to meet you. May the wind be ever at your back. May all you
journeying be joyous. And until we meet again, may the Lord
hold you and your bicycles in the palm o his hand. Amen.
Ater a brie saety talk by the Grosse Ile Police Department, wedeparted or a short ride, complete with a police escort.
A good time was had by everyone and we look orward to
hosting the 3rd Annual Blessing o the Bicycles next Spring.
Blessing of the BikesALY ANDREWS and DEBRA ALFONSO,
Michigan Department o Transportation, Intermodal Policy Division
Join the conversation on the new MichigBicycling Forum at www.LMB.org/foru
Training Wheels participants in Grandville, MI learn about potential on-road bike facility options.
Photo
courtesy
MDOT
-
7/27/2019 Michigan Bicyclist Magazine
15/16
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Membership/Donation
q I n d i v i d u a l / F a m i l y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3
q Organization/Club/Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6
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q Life-Organization/Club/Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100
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payable to:League of Michigan Bicyclis
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Bikes on Trains, Cont. from back page
booth (two total) Amtrak made ample
room or our angled bike racks. The racks
have a oor base that the bicycles ront
wheel sits in and use simple bungee style
tie downs to secure the bike tight against
a padded posts that supports the bike in
multiple places.
The prototype racks are a vast improve-
ment over their initial design. All in all, LMB
is very pleased with the new design. While
the racks were relatively intuitive, we did
encourage Amtrak to
provide signage with vi-
sual instructions on how
to use the racks. When
we tested the racks, the
ca car was empty, so
we also noted that it
could be a bit more di-fcult to board the train
and park your bike dur-
ing peak times.
Our biggest concern was
not so much about the
racks themselves, but
simply about the board-
ing process. Without raised platorms at
most Michigan stations, a bicyclist must
carry their bike through a very narrow
door and up narrow stairs, beore makingan immediate 90 turn to get into the ca
car. We were traveling light during the test
ride, but having additional luggage would
likely make the boarding process more di-
fcult. This problem can likely be addressed
by having Amtrak attendants available to
help bicyclists with the boarding and de-
boarding process. Since bicyclists will be
required to reserve space or their bicycles
in advance, however, Amtrak would know
when and where bicyclists were getting on
and o, and could have an attendant avail-able to assist.
The current racks will not accommodate
non-traditional bicycles such as tandems,
recumbents, tricycles, or oversized items
like pull behind trailers. We are optimistic
that in the uture Amtrak will be able to ac-
commodate these larger bikes within the
baggage cars currently under construction.
Lastly, LMB encouraged Amtrak to oer
bike service at no additional cost to passen-
gers, as is currently the policy on a number
o their lines across the country including
the Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin, Pacifc
Suriner, and Piedmont lines.
Pending the eedback rom the Michi-
gan bicyclists involved in the May 15th test
ride, and a previous demonstration that
involved bicyclists rom Active Transporta-
tion in Chicago as well as the Illinois DOT,
Amtrak plans to system-
atically install bike park-
ing within existing ca
cars. Due to unding cuts
caused by the sequestra-
tion, however, Amtrak
is currently unable to
comment on how long itwill likely take to modiy
enough o the existing
ca cars to ocially oer
this as a service on Michi-
gan lines. They currently
plan to retroft ca cars
one at a time as the cars
are brought in or service.
To make the service widespread across
Michigan they will need to convert at least
seven to nine ca cars to ensure consistent
service across the system.
Amtrak considers expanded rail travel one
o the solutions to address climate change
and trac congestion. Marrying passenger
trains and bikes is a no-brainer and a win-
win or the traveling public. Well continue
our work at making it easier or our custom-
ers to complete that last mile to or rom our
stations, whether on oot, by transit, or on
a bike, stated Derrick James, Director, Gov-
ernment Aairs - Central Amtrak.
While bikes on trains is still not yet a reality
in Michigan, LMB is pleased that we contin-
ue to make positive strides towards accom-
modating bicyclists. We sincerely thank
Amtrak and MDOT or inviting us to partici-
pate in the demonstration ride and we look
orward to promoting the new service once
it is ocially available across the state.
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7/27/2019 Michigan Bicyclist Magazine
16/16
LMBs bikes on trains campaign took a major step orward recently,
with an Amtrak demonstration ride that took place on May 15th. The
demonstration was aimed at generating eedback rom bicyclists on
new prototype bike rack design Amtrak is feld-testing.
Amtrak and MDOT organized bicyclists to board and deboard Train#350 at various legs along the Wolverine service route. Bicyclists par-
ticipated at stops in Chicago, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Jackson, Ann
Arbor, Detroit, and Royal Oak.
John Lindenmayer, LMBs Advocacy & Policy Director and Rory
Neuner, LMBs Board Vice Chair were along or the demonstration
which showcased a recently retroftted ca car outftted with an-
gled bike parking to accommodate our bicycles.
Amtrak currently does not allow bicycles on board most o their
Midwest routes, including all that pass through Michigan. For the
past several years LMB has actively lobbied Amtrak to change their
policies and urged them to modiy their existing cars with bike racksto help bridge the last mile problem many commuters and poten-
tial commuters ace.
The connection between bicycling and transit is undamental,
said Lindenmayer. Passengers can currently travel rom community
to community by Amtrak, but how do they get to where they need
to go once they step o the train? Allowing bikes on trains will pro-
vide seamless multi-modal connections or passengers, giving them
options to travel to and rom train stations by bike.
With Michigan being home to over 300 annual bicycling events
each year, with a number hosted in or near Michigan communities
serviced by Amtrak, many Michigan communities could also ben-
eft rom increased tourism spending rom both in and out o state
bicyclists.
Thats why LMB is excited Amtrak is taking positive steps to accom-
modate bikes on board trains servicing Michigan and applaud them
or responding to the requests o the Michigan cycling community.
LMB worked to ensure that bicyclists were included in the Michi-
gan State Rail Plan, said Lindenmayer, and we delivered a petition
that collected over 3,500 signatures in a short period o time urging
Amtrak to accommodate bicycles on Michigan service lines. Thomas
C. Carper, Amtrak Board Chairman at the time, responded avorably
stating, Amtrak has placed an order or 130 new, single-level cars.
This order...includes 55 new baggage cars and 25 new baggage-
dorm cars. These two types o cars will be equipped with bicycle
racks.
Additionally Carper stated, Amtrak Mechanical has been working
on designs to retroft ood service cars used on some Michigan ser-
vices to accommodate bicycle racks. One design has been tested
and proved unsatisactory, but our design team has developed analternate solution based on what was learned rom the initial design.
LMB provided eedback on that initial design, which indeed proved
unworkable, as it had three parallel oor wheel racks that were
boxed in on three sides. The tight spacing made it nearly impossible
or it to be used by more than one bicyclist at a time.
The May 15th demonstration, however, showcased Amtraks take
two on a proposed ca car retroft. By removing an additional
MICHIGAN
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Dated Material: August, 2013
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Amtrak Bikes on Trains Demo LMB Along for the Ride
Rory Neuner, LMBs Board Vice Chair and John Lindenmayer, LMBs Advocacy & Policy
Director with Derrick James, Director, Government Aairs - Central Amtrak during theMay 15th bikes on trains demonstration ride.
See Bikes on Trains, page 14